An Easton man blamed his gambling addiction for his "poor decision" to leave his three small children locked in a vehicle while he played blackjack at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem for about 45 minutes, according to court records.

Bethlehem police were called at 10:15 this morning to the parking garage after a witness reported seeing three children unsupervised inside a blue GMC Envoy, according to court documents. The children, ages 1, 5 and 8, were in a vehicle parked on the first floor of the garage, police report.

Maurice Cook, of the 600 block of Wolfe Avenue, was spotted on casino surveillance playing blackjack, according to police. Video footage showed him entering the casino at 9:32 a.m., according to court records.

Authorities say they were able to connect the SUV to Cook using the vehicle's registration.

When police tracked down Cook and interviewed him about the incident, the 30-year-old told them he had a gambling addiction, according to court documents.

"I am sorry for what I did," Cook allegedly told police.

Cook was arraigned today before District Judge Patricia Romig-Passaro on three counts each of recklessly endangering another person and endangering the welfare of a child. He was sent to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $30,000 bail.